All the previous posts are pretty old. My price range is $40 or so. What starting clamp would you recommend?

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I have 3 starting clamps. All three work as they should.
I have a gamma,works nice no complaints.
An Alpha, that clamp the Alpha is a little bigger(wider) than the others, but works nice.
One I got from grand slam stringers has 2 springs, nice size, hold great and my favorite of the bunch.
All three were less than $40.00

Sorry for bringing back an old thread but was curious on whats the difference between the Alpha and Gamma starting clamps vs the Eagnas starting clamp?

Also what makes the Babolat starting clamp superior than the other companies starting clamps.

Thanks

Edit: Also TW I think this thread should be in Stringing Techniques / Stringing Machines section.

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Alpha used to be the same as the GSS RAB clamp. Nowadays the Alpha clamp is wide jawed, aggressively textured (not overly so, though), and has EXTREMELY high clamping force. Jaws don't open much, and the springs are very firm.

RAB clamp is very similar to the Babolat, and I'd imagine you'd find little to no difference in the performance if you had a blind test. It should also be noted that the Babolat clamp has been through many versions throughout the year, but all are deemed to be pretty much excellent.

I don't own an eagnas clamp (but it looks to be OK in quality). The handle looks pretty wide, so I'm unsure of the natural clamping power. I can't be of too much help on that one.

The Gamma clamp is adequate for light duty usage, IMO. I wouldn't have it as my only starting clamp. Diamond dusting is very smooth, the gripping surface is a glued-in insert, and the jaws gunk up. Even though it's a 3 spring model, it doesn't have insane clamping power. I pasted a link below for your browsing pleasure. I've worked with at least 3 gamma clamps over the years, I would be OK having one at home for just myself, but if I were to share tools with others (and I've worked this way in the past), I can't trust maintenance to be done, and i don't have the luxury of spending 10-15 minutes doing a proper cleaning every time I string. I like the RAB as my favorite go-to clamp. I've got a babolat wide jaw, but no eyelets, so it doesn't see use on my machine (can't splice/bridge).

Alpha used to be the same as the GSS RAB clamp. Nowadays the Alpha clamp is wide jawed, aggressively textured (not overly so, though), and has EXTREMELY high clamping force. Jaws don't open much, and the springs are very firm.

RAB clamp is very similar to the Babolat, and I'd imagine you'd find little to no difference in the performance if you had a blind test. It should also be noted that the Babolat clamp has been through many versions throughout the year, but all are deemed to be pretty much excellent.

I don't own an eagnas clamp (but it looks to be OK in quality). The handle looks pretty wide, so I'm unsure of the natural clamping power. I can't be of too much help on that one.

The Gamma clamp is adequate for light duty usage, IMO. I wouldn't have it as my only starting clamp. Diamond dusting is very smooth, the gripping surface is a glued-in insert, and the jaws gunk up. Even though it's a 3 spring model, it doesn't have insane clamping power. I pasted a link below for your browsing pleasure. I've worked with at least 3 gamma clamps over the years, I would be OK having one at home for just myself, but if I were to share tools with others (and I've worked this way in the past), I can't trust maintenance to be done, and i don't have the luxury of spending 10-15 minutes doing a proper cleaning every time I string. I like the RAB as my favorite go-to clamp. I've got a babolat wide jaw, but no eyelets, so it doesn't see use on my machine (can't splice/bridge).

Thanks for the wise words of wisdom DD
I have been looking to add a better starting clamp to replace my Eagnas PP-600 to use for starting my crosses (that has more clamping power than my Eagnas starting clamp).

I've owned a Eagnas starting clamp for about a year now and it's a decent quality starting clamp.

Thanks for the wise words of wisdom DD
I have been looking to add a better starting clamp to replace my Eagnas PP-600 to use for starting my crosses (that has more clamping power than my Eagnas starting clamp).

I've owned a Eagnas starting clamp for about a year now and it's a decent quality starting clamp.

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Is your eagnas slipping? I'm curious, because I don't have hands on with that clamp, but it looks reasonable... some people 'reinforce' their springs on their starters by putting an extra spring around their coil springs... might want to look into that if it's specifically clamping pressure... also check the clamp head condition and/or clean it if necessary.

I've had the GSS one but after awhile it tends to slip when you use it when trying to start crosses. The Wilson one though has been good, nice and tight. It's never even been cleaned and still doesn't slip.

Is your eagnas slipping? I'm curious, because I don't have hands on with that clamp, but it looks reasonable... some people 'reinforce' their springs on their starters by putting an extra spring around their coil springs... might want to look into that if it's specifically clamping pressure... also check the clamp head condition and/or clean it if necessary.

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No, I have not noticed any slipping on my Eagnas starting clamp
(I also keep it well cleaned).
For the $26 it's worth it.
I'm just trying to see if there's a better quality starting clamp on the market to add to my collection (primary use for starting my crosses) and using the one I have for tightening knots.